Williston Junior High School
Williston, North Dakota
Error processing SSI file| Categories | Use fundraising activities and rewards; Limit student access to competitive foods; Make more healthful foods and beverages available |
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| Problem Overview |
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| Program/Activity Description | Junior high students had the option of purchasing candy from the candy cart in the morning before classes. This began as part of a fundraising effort for the student council.
Changes to the candy cart began with a parent’s comment. The parent, also a nutritionist at the Upper Missouri District Health Unit, had a discussion with her 7th grade son. She realized that the money he was taking to school was to purchase candy from the cart. Knowing that good nutrition affected the learning ability of students, she and other nutritionists at the Health Unit discussed possible alternatives to the candy cart. As a group they had several meetings with the junior high principal. He eventually agreed that the nutritionists could make a presentation on healthier options to the student council, and a meeting was set up by the council advisor. The presentation included reasons for the proposed change and suggestions for healthier options. The nutritionists offered student council members the chance to taste a variety of items, including “Grip n’ Go” milks (regular and chocolate), 100% orange juice, and multigrain bars. The students enjoyed the taste testing and decided to sell the milk, juice, and breakfast bars. They also decided to rename their fundraiser the “breakfast cart.” To increase sales of the new items, the Health Unit provided stickers, flying discs, and pencils as promotional incentives, and these were well received by the students. At the same time as the changes in the morning cart, the principal and school counselor decided to turn off all soft drink machines during the morning hours before school. Machines selling 100% juice were left on for student purchase. Sales at the new breakfast cart have remained the same as previous sales with the candy cart. These changes have significantly reduced student access to high-fat/high-sugar foods at Williston Junior High. Students now have the opportunity to start the school day with more nutritious foods and beverages. |
| Program/Activity Outcome |
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| Story Highlights | Keys to Success:
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| Words of Wisdom | "Progress or change can begin with a single observation or conversation. Acting on a small change can be the beginning of something bigger— you never know how big the impact can be. Offering healthy alternatives in just one environment such as the breakfast cart can motivate the student to look for other nutritious food choices throughout the day. We feel it’s important to get the students off to a healthy start in the morning." — Sue Grundstad, Public Health Nutritionist |
| Program Contact | Sue Grundstad |